Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Sinningia speciosa. |
Common name |
Gloxinia, florists' gloxinia, elegant gloxinia. |
Family |
Gesneriaceae. |
Origin |
Central and South America. |
Dimensions |
The gloxinia is approximately 30 cm high. |
Foliage |
The gloxinia foliage is composed of fleshy leaves arranged in a rosette. They are oblong, silky and scalloped, of a beautiful dark green color. They should be handled with care, at the risk of breaking them. |
Bloom |
The gloxinia flowers measure between 3 and 5 cm long and can be arranged in bouquets or isolated. They take the form of beautiful flared bells, with velvety and sometimes embossed petals. They cover a wide range of colors, ranging from red, purple, white and even blue. |
Exposure |
The ideal way to allow the gloxinia to grow well is to reserve it a location in partial shade, without indirect light. |
Ground |
The gloxinia grows in pots, in soil that is both light and humus. |
Rusticity |
10°C. |
The gloxinia requires a little attention and maintenance to flower well. But in return, it rewards us with its magnificent flowering which lasts all summer. The game is worth it, we assure you!
Where to plant gloxinias?
Due to its tropical origins, the gloxinia's location must be chosen carefully to best meet its needs:
Location:
as the gloxinia is a rather chilly plant, the ideal is to place it in a room where the temperature varies between 18 and 24° and sheltered from drafts. Also, the gloxinia appreciates a beautiful light which allows its colorful flowers to bloom but without being exposed directly to the sun's rays. In summer, you can take it outside if the temperatures are not too hot;
Soil:
in our latitudes, gloxinia is an indoor plant that is grown in pots. To meet its needs, plant it in a light, humus-rich and well-drained substrate. It appreciates soil mixed with peat or heather.
Read alsoFlowering houseplant: our 12 favorites
How to take care of a gloxinia?
The gloxinia is sensitive to lack of water but also to excess. Copyright (c) 2023 Melnikov Dmitriy/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
The gloxinia is a tropical plant which requires special attention, particularly in terms of temperatures and watering. Indeed, the gloxinia is sensitive to lack of water but also to excess.
Watering:
when flowering is complete, stop watering to keep the tubers dry, in a cool room where the temperature is between 12 and 15°C;
Pruning:
It is not necessary to prune the gloxinia. On the other hand, you can remove the faded flowers gradually;
Diseases and parasites:
gloxinia can be targeted by pests such as aphids but also thrips.
How to take gloxinia cuttings?
If you want to take gloxinia cuttings, you must do so in spring. To do this, simply
plant a sucker or a leaf
in a pot and ensure that the soil is always very moist without being soggy. It is also possible to sow or divide tubers to multiply gloxinia.
When does a gloxinia bloom?
Whether they are plain, two-tone or speckled, gloxinia flowers are always lovely and above all very colorful. It adorns our interiors with its beautiful flowering
all summer and even until the beginning of autumn
. It is imperative that the temperature of the room where the gloxinia is located does not drop below 21°C as soon as spring arrives to ensure beautiful summer flowering.
Gloxinia rhizomes are repotted around February. Copyright (c) 2023 Marija Rutkovska/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
When to repot a gloxinia?
The gloxinia rhizomes are repotted
around February
, after having kept them dry in a cool room after the flowering period. The gloxinia is repotted every year, in renewed potting soil. You can keep the same pot for 2 to 3 years.
Also read Repotting: the secret to a healthy houseplant!